Browsing by Author "Bruck, Jules"
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Item Distribution of urban green spaces: Comparative analysis between cities in different countries(Ornamental Horticulture, 2020-11-04) Garcia, Cecília Souza Gontijo; Paiva, Patrícia Duarte de Oliveira; Bruck, Jules; Sousa, Rafael de BritoThe presence of urban green spaces (UGS) increases the human’s contact with nature and provides numerous benefits to the society and the local environment. In this way, analyzing, planning and stimulating the implementation of UGS in cities is a fundamental action to improve the life quality of urban society. In this context, the aim was to analyze the situation and distribution of the green spaces of the universities cities of Lavras, Minas Gerais State (Brazil) and Newark, Delaware (USA). For data collection, researches performed field visits and used aerial photography to survey and analysis before calculating indicators including green area index (GAI) and green space ratio (GSR). The city of Lavras has a GAI of 0.54 m2 inh-1. The GSR value was 0.29%, not meeting the minimum of 5% required by local municipal law. Furthermore, there is a bad distribution of UGSs in the urban framework. However, in Newark, the distribution of UGSs is homogeneous and covers all regions of the city. The calculated GAI was 50.2 m² inh-1 and the GSR has met the 7% minimum required by its Newark Municipal Law. When comparing the two cities, in different countries and conditions it is concluded that Newark (DE) presents UGS indicators, GAI (m² inh-1) and GSR (%), higher than the values obtained in Lavras (MG), indicating the need for Government actions to increase these values. Resumo As áreas verdes públicas urbanas (AVPs) concebem um importante tema, pois sua presença nas cidades, ampliando o contato do homem com a natureza, além dos efeitos ambientais geram inúmeros benefícios. Dessa maneira, analisar, planejar e estimular a implantação das AVPs nas cidades é ação fundamental para a melhoria da qualidade de vida da sociedade urbana. Nesse contexto objetivou-se analisar a situação e distribuição das áreas verdes das cidades universitárias de Lavras, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil e Newark, estado de Delaware, EUA. Para a coleta de dados foram realizadas visitas a campo e o levantamento de áreas das AVPs por meio da análise de imagens de satélite utilizando o software ArcGIS e calculados os indicadores, índice de áreas verdes (IAV) e percentual de áreas verdes (PAV). A cidade de Lavras possui um IAV de 0,54m² hab-1. O valor de PAV foi de 0,29%, não cumprindo o mínimo de 5% exigido pela lei municipal local. Além disto, existe uma má distribuição das AVPs na malha urbana. Já em Newark, a distribuição das AVPs é homogênea abrangendo todas as regiões da cidade. O IAV calculado foi de 50,2m² hab-1 e o PAV cumpriu o mínimo de 7% exigido pela sua Lei municipal de Newark. Ao comparar as duas cidades, conclui-se que Newark (DE) apresenta indicadores sobre as áreas verdes públicas, IAV (m² hab-1) e PAV (%) superiores em comparação aos valores obtidos em Lavras (MG), indicando a necessidade de ações governamentais para ampliar esses valores.Item The Ecosystem Services of Residential Landscapes: A Delaware Study Site(Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware, Newark, DE., 2014-03) Duke, Joshua M.; Bruck, Jules; Barton, Susan; Murray, MeganThis report describes research on a sustainable landscape intervention in Delaware that altered a residential landscape in order to enhance ecosystem services. This intervention was termed, “contemporary” landscaping. Data were collected on installation and management costs and a survey of perceived impacts to off-site residents was conducted. The landscape intervention occurred in the suburban “Applecross” development in northern New Castle County, Delaware. The affluent neighborhood has houses with large yards on lots of about 1.2 acres. The intervention sought to apply recent scientific advances to enhance ecosystem services, especially water quality protection. The intervention consisted of reducing the lawn space from 98% of the yard to less than 50%. Native plants and various types of land cover were introduced, including a constructed forested area and separate meadow. With this landscape intervention came many ecosystem services including: • Water quantity and quality improvements; • Aesthetic changes; and • Expanded habitats. The intervention cost approximately $32,000 to establish. Though high, this cost aligns with landscaping costs in similar affluent neighborhoods. An intercept survey of non-neighboring Delaware residents was conducted to understand public preferences for this type of intervention, particularly the off-site received costs and benefits of the altered ecosystem services. An additional, small survey was conducted with neighbors. The survey data show a majority of the ecosystem service changes were perceived to have a positive impact on people’s quality of life, though some had a negative or no effect. The most important impacts were found to be: • Undesirable wildlife might be present (negative); • Better flood control (positive); and • Better water quality (positive). The neighbors’ survey had an inadequately small sample, but generally matched the results of the other Delaware residents. In sum, the research shows that contemporary landscapes may possibly increase social welfare, but high establishment costs will preclude many landowners from adoption. Further valuation research is needed to determine benefits and cost estimates. The research suggests that even though contemporary landscapes are not prevalent, it may not be due to preference for traditional yards with extensive lawn space. Rather, there may be a mismatch between public benefits and landowner costs.